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The process of finding and landing your first humanitarian job can be an arduous one, but it doesn’t have to be that way! In this guide, we’ll share with you three smart and legitimate shortcuts to landing your ideal humanitarian job. Follow these tips and you’ll land the job you deserve in no time!
Take the Right Course (Highly Recommended)
While there are many ways to get into the humanitarian field, one of the best and most direct ways is to take the right course. The right course will give you an overview of the different sectors within humanitarianism as well as the specific skills needed for each sector. This will help you focus your job search and make you a more attractive candidate. There are many short courses that offer this type of information so it should be easy to find something that works with your schedule. Here’s a list of some popular courses -HCC’s International Development Certificate Program (14-week online)
-University of Guelph’s Certificate in International Development & Conflict Management (13 weeks on campus)
-Harvard Kennedy School’s Certificate in Refugee Studies (16 weeks on campus)
-University of Ottawa’s Certificate in Refugee Studies (6 weeks on campus) -The Munk School of Global Affairs’ MBA in International Humanitarian Assistance (24 months on campus)
-Kroc Institute at Notre Dame University’s Master of Arts in Social Justice Leadership (9 months on campus) -Howard University’s MSW in Human Services Administration with specialization in International Social Work (36 credits over 2 years on campus)
-Gustavus Adolphus College’s Bachelors of Science in Peace and Conflict Studies: Homeland Security Concentration (120 credits over 4 years) -Peace and Conflict Studies (18 credits over 1 year)
-Certificate in Gender Violence Prevention and Response from Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations (online). These schools will not only provide the necessary skills but also employability prospects after graduation. In addition, because these courses tend to have smaller class sizes, they are typically less expensive than studying at a university or college. You can also learn about internships and other opportunities by going to conferences and talks put on by organizations like Oxfam America or Amnesty International. They’re a great way to network and get your foot in the door. Other good places to look for internships include NGOs such as Refugees International, UNICEF, World Vision, CARE, and Mercy Corps. If you don’t see any jobs posted on their websites, then reach out to them directly! Another smart way of getting ahead is volunteering with a local organization or doing pro bono work. It may seem counterintuitive but taking time off of work to volunteer may actually end up landing you a paying job!
Also see: The Top 10 Skills You Need to Succeed as an Insurance Manager
Get your papers right
If you want to work in the humanitarian field, there are a few things you need to get in order before you start applying for jobs. First, make sure your resume is up-to-date and tailored to the type of work you’re interested in. Second, research the organizations you’re interested in and make sure you understand their mission and values. Third, reach out to your network of contacts and see if anyone can introduce you to someone at the organization. And finally, consider volunteering with an organization or nonprofit to learn more about what they do before sending in your application.
Remember, not all humanitarian jobs involve traveling to faraway places. The skills needed to be successful in this field are often transferable from one job site to another – so take a smart shortcut on how to land a job! Start by updating your resume, researching different organizations’ missions and values (and how these would suit you), networking with people who know these organizations well and reaching out to others who may be able to help connect you to hiring managers at these NGOs. Also think about volunteering for an NGO first to ensure that this type of work is right for you before investing time into writing applications that might go unanswered due to lack of interest or perfect match. When you’ve found an organization that seems like a good fit, don’t hesitate to ask how they find new talent. If they mention any form of social media recruitment (LinkedIn, Twitter etc.), look into ways of building connections through this medium as it’s much easier than trying to navigate through endless CVs and contact forms on the website. Just remember: It’s never too early to be proactive when it comes to landing a humanitarian job because opportunities will arise when least expected
Get recognized by someone who matters
There are few things more gratifying than having your work recognized by someone who matters. When it comes to landing a humanitarian job, getting recognition from the right people can make all the difference. Here are three smart and legitimate shortcuts to getting noticed by the right people
1) Volunteer with an organization that is focused on the type of work you want to do;
2) Write about the cause or issue you care about on LinkedIn or Medium;
3) Start following the accounts of those in charge of hiring for humanitarian jobs. Then start engaging them when they post something interesting. You might even ask them how they came up with their latest idea or what book they’re reading these days. The point is, when you show interest in them as a person outside of their professional lives (or at least have some general knowledge about the issues they focus on), they’ll remember your name and be much more likely to pay attention if you reach out next time. How to take a smart an legitimate Shortcut in landing Humanitarian Job: Getting noticed by the right people is key. By being proactive, thoughtful and creative – whether through volunteering, social media or networking events – you can get noticed before your resume has been looked at. And there’s nothing better than having a foot in the door before applying for anything! How to take a smart an legitimate Short cut in landing Humanitarian Job: Want another shortcut? Apply directly to agencies like Mercy Corps, Food for the Hungry, Oxfam America and CARE International. These organizations often hire entry-level staff straight out of college or based on demonstrated skills rather than traditional resumes.
How to take a smart an legitimate Shortcut in landing Humanitarian Job: Want another shortcut? Be part of a team like Medshare where there’s already existing momentum around new ideas and projects.
